Solid Serenade

Just to hear Tom slapping that bass and singing, "Is You Is, or Is You Ain't, My Baby?" makes this one priceless! All the action flows from that serenade. Jerry either needs his sleep or is making an editorial comment on Tom's musical talents when he frees the bulldog. There is also a very important object lesson here: be very careful when closing your eyes in a romantic interlude! There was general merriment and joy overflowed the main environs and flooded surrounding areas! Highly recommended.

Spike the dog (here called Killer, in later cartoons he'd be called Butch) is tied up by Tom the cat so he can serenade the lady he has his eye on with the song "Is you is or is you ain't my baby". He wakes up Jerry the mouse, who tortures him for his act of love by throwing stuff at him. This prompts Tom to grow aggravated and the game of cat and mouse is on. Jerry unties Butch (Killer) to let the dog get into the action. This is a great Tom and Jerry cartoon and Tom's singing is classic stuff. This hilarious cartoon short can be found on disc one of the Spotlight collection DVD of "Tom & Jerry"

My Grade: A

After quite a few less than impressive adventures (Trap Happy, The Milky Waif, Springtime for Thomas, Quiet Please!, and Flirty Birdy), it's great to see the cat and mouse duo back on form in Solid Serenade, which sees Tom attempting to woo a tasty white female cat by performing a rendition of "Is You Is, or Is You Ain't, My Baby?".

Unfortunately, the cat's romantic musical gesture isn't appreciated by Jerry, who is desperately struggling to catch some z's. In order to get some peace (and a little revenge, of course), the mouse sets about trying to ruin Tom's chances with the sexy feline. The result is a hilarious succession of brilliant slapstick moments and violent visual gags, with some particularly memorable moments: Jerry bouncing around his home as Tom slaps his bass; Tom 'playing' the lips of a bulldog named Killer (who looks suspiciously like Spike); Killer swapping his standard huge gnashers for a even larger set of fangs; and Tom receiving a sash window on his neck (ouch!).

Throw in some terrific comic facial expressions (including Tom's priceless look of sudden realisation), and you have an unmissable episode that is full of fun from start to finish.

I love solid serenade. It is not funny, it's hilarious!!!! Go see it. You won't regret it. -rockyandyipper

Tom sneaks into a well protected garden to serenade a gorgeous female kitty. But first he has to tie up Spike (here called 'Killer'). His chosen song is actually 'Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby?', which is actually very cool song.

Too bad Jerry doesn't share the same sentiments. Tom's crooning is keeping him awake in his letterbox/bedroom and he just wants him to shut the hell up.

Jerry actually only gets to torment Tom a couple of times in this cartoon. Most of the pain is dished out by Spike. And it is very, very funny, with great visual jokes and humor.